Ilford Art Society, Goodmayes, 5 November 2025
Three weeks after my debut visit and two weeks since my second visit, I was back to sit for my third and final portrait modelling session with Ilford Art Society this year. Whereas my previous bookings were focused on specific areas (‘tone’ and ‘line’), this one was open for the artists to express themselves in any way they preferred.
For me the job was the same as before: sit still facing forwards in a single pose of my own choice in two parts, with a tea-break but no stretch-breaks. In this format without props, costumes or significant bodily self-expression, options for variation are limited. Still, I had a go: face slightly to the right, head tilted slightly up, lips slightly parted.
If the artists’ primary efforts are directed at capturing what is before them, rather than comparing it with what has gone previously, then possibly they wouldn’t have noticed such subtle tweaks at intervals of weeks. It doesn’t matter, though. It’s a happy group that enjoys its meetings and its practice… and I was happy to play my part for them.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Part 1 : 50.
— break —
Part 2 : 43 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
steve ritter 